NEW YORK, Sept. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- An Inbound Logistics magazine survey of approximately 300 third-party logistics (3PL) providers reveals that 90 percent of 3PLs grew their client base by at least five percent over the previous year, with the same percentage reporting at least five percent sales growth in the same period. Logistics sector growth serves as an economic indicator, because manufacturers are requiring more transportation and logistics services to manage increased output.

The new market research also reflects shifts in how shippers buy 3PL services, from transaction-based offerings to more comprehensive relationships that encompass the full spectrum of supply chain functions. Working together, shippers and 3PLs are using strategies such as intermodal transportation and managed technology services to face challenges.

Other key takeaways from the Inbound Logistics report:

Sixty-four percent of shipper respondents value customer service over cost when measuring a 3PL's value. Poor customer service accounts for more than half of failed partnerships, respondents say.

Moving overseas operations close to or back to the United States is a supply chain strategy for 29 percent of respondents.

Published in Inbound Logistics, the report also includes the Top 100 3PL Providers list, selected by the magazine's editors. These companies offer services central to solving transportation, logistics, and supply chain challenges, and have achieved well-documented customer successes. The Top 100 list – and the accompanying decision support tool on Inbound Logistics' website – directs logistics technology buyers to market-leading solutions.